Knitted fabric and method



Jan. 6, 1948. v. LOMBARDI 2,434,045

KNITTED FABRIC AND METHOD Filed Nov. 9, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet l Fi .1 1 H95 him/77 01.- V/hceh/ Zomba/'09 SW-A w i" Jan. 6, v LQMBARD] 2,434,045

KNITTED FABRIC AND METHOD Filed Nov. 9, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 //7 vemor: Vince/7f Lombardi Jan. 6, 1948. w v v. LOMBARDI 2,434,045

KNITTED FABRIC AND METHOD Filed Nov. 9, 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 hue/770m VI}? can) la'mard/ knittedriabl'ics.

a strong; and effective rknot.

Patented Jan. 6,1948

KNITTED FABRIC AND METHOD Vincent Lombardi, Miami, Fla., assignor to Lombardi Knitting Machine 00., Inc.,v Miami, Fla a corporation of New York Application November 9, 1944, Serial No. 562,622

40 Claims. 1

This invention relates to knitted fabric and to methods of producing the same. More particularly it concerns knitted fabric having knots therein.

For many years the'arthas sought fabrics hav- 11 various qualities not possessed by ordinary Among these :are combinations of firmness andyieldabilitynot at present possessed by either knitted or wovenfabrics; nonrun and non-ravel tendencies, the presence of firmly secured bunchesof yarn; simple and effective terry-like structures; well secured and relatively inelastic lace work, and good design qualities.

Among the objects of the presentinventionis the-provision of fabrics having one or more of the foregoing and other qualities.

The invention finds highly effective application in a wide variety of types of; fabrics including toweling, hosiery, sportswear, nether garments, outer wear, and plush fabrics. It enables the production of highly efiective run-resistant fabrics suchas non-run hosiery, girdles and brassiresg the employment of the invention being of particular importance when an elastic yarn is included.

In accordance with the invention knots are provided in knitted fabrics throughout the same or preferably at selected portions thereof. A form of knot contemplated by the invention in certain of its aspects is one wherein one extent of yarn passes through the bight of a loop thereof to form an eyelet through which another extent of yarnpa'sses. More specifically, the shank portion ofa loop comprising the two sides or legs of the loop extends through the bight of said loop and around a portion of the other extent of yarn,

which portion is itself preferably in the form of a'loop. Such knots maybe formed by doubling thelegs of a'l'oop back toward the bight and then passing them through the bight, or by bending back thebighthalf of the loop and folding it over the shank half, or otherwise bringing the two sides of the loop together with the bight end -lying aga-inst them sothat there is formed an eyelet portion in: which the two sides of the loop form adOubIe-eye extending from the end of the bight backto and through the bight. The eyelet thus formed may receive the other extent of yarnmore specifically, 'a loop thereof-and when the first extent of yarn is tightened as byrpulling the legs of the first mentioned loop through the bight the eyelet is tightened against the legsxof The loop of the showing the -section or other extentoi yarnextends from this knot as a succeeding loop in the same Wale as the l p which terms: th yelet.

preferably iaf riorm ng, a w lo p back t rough the first mentioned loop, around the yarn thereof, and again through it. In this case, the precedin oop ather th n h succeeding one a pe rs as thelo p caught in the kn t.-

.The invention accordingly comprises the articlepesse sing the reatures,;properties, and the relation of; el ments and-the several steps-and the relation and-order of one or more oi such steps; with respecttq each of the others, which are @xem-plified the following detailed disclosure and the scope oft-the application of which will; be indicated intheclaims.

For a fuller -.understanding of the nature and objects-of thei-nvention, reference should be had to the following-detailed description taken, inconnection with the. accompanying drawings, in

which:

Eigureel is'a somewhat.- diagrammatic viewer .a form of knitted rabric having knots, formed at c rtain points thereininaccordance withthe-i ven on;

Fig. .2 is anenlarged view ,Qf-QIlGrOf theknots of i Fig. 3 is a small scale schematicview-of a fabric such as shown in Fig 1;.

Fig. .4 is .a diagrammatic view.'sh0wing,.a..f.orm

of; fabric having drop stitches I Fig. '5 is a, view similar toFig. 3; showing .a

'fabric such as shown incFig. 4;

Fig. G is-a view similar to FigA-showingca terry-- type fabric;

is asimila-r View of a type of fabricwhereinta selvage edge isprovided by knots in, accord,- ant w th: the: invention Fig. fiais aisimilar view-of a portion-of a fulltashioned stockin Fig. 8Ais areducedscale-viewof a ,stock1'ng -8.indotted-lines;-

E arais avi wth re fi ikefi r- 3;: I Fig. 10- showsa, form of, iabric wherein knots ar fo med at: each; point of .mterkmttm and also exemplifies acmethodnwhichriormsa' partof the invention;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a rib-stitch fabric;

Fig. 12 shows another form of knot such as contemplated by the invention;

- Figs. 13-18 show successive stages in the transformation of the form of knot of Fig. 2 into the form of knot of Fig. 12;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a lace-like fabric;

Fig. 20 shoWs diagrammatically a manner of formation of the fabric of Fig. 19; and

Fig. 21 is a view like Figs. 2 and 12 showing further the contour of the various yarns in the fabric of Fig. 19.

Shown in Fig. 1 is a fabric wherein the knitting is generally of the jersey type, plain loops being knitted to plain loops at some points, as for example at 8. At other points, however, a knot 9 is formed as by first passing the sides I I and I2 of a loop I3 through the bight I4 thereof, or otherwise, to form an eyelet I5 and passing the new loop I6 through the eyelet instead of through the loop. In this manner there is formed a knot which not only adds to the firmness and body of a fabric in which it is incorporated, but tends to prevent pulling out of yarn and to prevent those 'runs which are so greatly to be avoided in knitted fabrics. In Fig. 1 the knots are, for sake of clearness, shown in a very loose condition. A normal tightened knot is shown in Fig. 2.

In addition the invention finds advantageous application in the production of design fabrics. Commonly the knots will be arranged to outline or otherwise mark the design, though if desired the main body of the fabric may be knotted throughout except at the design portions; or the "knotted and unknotted points may be substantially equal as in Figs. 1 and 3.

In Fig. 3 the knots 9 are indicated by crosses, and ordinary jersey loops are shown by dashes.

Another feature of the invention is that dangling loops can be readily provided by knotting the fabric in the second course prior to the one brush to form a very effective plush, may be thus provided. Various design fabrics can likewise be provided by dropping stitches after knotting. The design effects thus formed may be employed alone or may be coupled with the feature of intermingled normal loops and knotted knitting.

In Figs. 4 and 5 there is shown a design fabric embodying both a knotted design and a dangling loop design. In course a of Fig. 4 there is jersey knitting in all three wales shown. In course b the fabric is knotted in each wale. In course 0 there is jersey knitting in each wale. the loops being caught in the knots, In course 11 there is jersey knitting in wales I and 3, while in wale 2 a stitch has been dropped to leave a dangling loop I8 in course 0. Jersey knitting follows; the yarn of course 6 being again caught in in wale 2, and jersey loops bein present in an three wales 'incourse f. In Fig. 5, there is shown a fabric of alternate wales in alternate courses, and in intermediate wales in intermediate courses. A fabric of this type is shown in Fig. 6. From each knot 9 there extends a dangling loop I8 which in and in the preceding figures.

is firmly secured and which can readily be formed of any desired size. Such fabrics can be used for towelings; and similar fabrics, when brushed, can provide very effective plush goods.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a portion of a selvage edge fabric embodying the invention. The fabric is a plain jersey knit except at its edges, one of which is shown at 2| and another at 22, Each loop in the last course at the edge 2| and each loop in the last wale at the edge 22 is, as will be seen, knotted at 9 to provide an effective nonravel edge. The cut ends of yarn along the selvage edges is shown frayed to distinguish from the yarn ends along the broken edges of the diagraminatic view of the fabric.

Similarly a feature of the invention is the provision of a knot at the point where a wale terminates when the fabric is removed as in the formation of a full fashioned stocking. In Figs. 8 and 9 this is exemplified by the knots at 25. Selvage edge knots at 26 and non-run knots at 2! are also provided, these being formed in alternation in both directions with unknotted interknitted loops.

In instances where a heavy, firm, and/or nonrun fabric is desired, the invention is highly advantageous, even when no design features are present. In such cases knots may be provided at all or at alternate points of interknitting in the wales and/or courses. Fabrics of this type, whether or not small unknotted design portions are included, have the firmness and strength of woven fabrics while retaining a sufiicient degree of yieldability to provide sportswear and other clothing which has a closer fit and a more comfortable hang than if made of woven cloth. Towels, wash cloths, and like fabrics are effectively provided by the presence of relatively bulky knots. Many other advantageous uses will be apparent. One very effective use is in non-run hose wherein the knots prevent the spreading of a break in the yarn. Such a fabric is shown in Fig. 10, a 9 knot being provided in this instance at each point where the loops are interknitted.

In Fig. 10 there is also exemplified a manner of formation of knots of the character shown there- There is shown in stage I a loop I3 ready to be knotted. At stage II, the bight end of the loop I3 is shown spread outwardly at 29 and 39. This step is not essential but is a convenient first step of formation of the eyelet I5. In stage III, the bulged out bight portion is shown bent under the shank portion of the loop. In stage IV, the portion 29 is shown as bent over alongside the portion 30 so as to provide the double-eye construction forming the eyelet I5. Another extent of yarn, such as a loop I6, is then inserted in stage V. In stage VI, this loo-p I6 is drawn out. In stage VII, the eyelet is tightened to complete a highly effective knot 9 as by pushing the bight end toward the newly inserted loop I6. It will be appreciated that it is the formation of the eyelet and the passing therethrough of another extent of yarn that is of major significance in the present meth- 'two extents of yarn, specifically two ,loops, are

united. In Fig. 11 for example, there is shown a rib stitch construction wherein knots 9 are pro Straightening out of loop l3. jshowhjin'FigJSis substantially the same as that yfded at certain points both in the depressed ribs32 and'tlie projecting ribs 33.

another 1 and more resistant form of knot con- 'templatedby the "invention 'is shown in Fig. 12. whileknots of this general character maybe forined 'in ayariety'of ways, the knotss'pecifically illustrated may readily be formedby exerting a {lateral "(coursewism pull on'the legs'of the loop of'an eyelet'knot such as the loop 13 f thekn'o't 9 as shown in Fig. 2, causing the eyelet at the "bight end of this loop to straighten out and consequently causing the yarn at the feet of a caught loop suchas the loop 16 to Wrap itself around 'the bight of the loop l3-to form in its turn-the knot 55. As will be'seen'the extent of y-arn embodying'the loop l6 runs from 35 through the loop l 3 as at 36, around the loop it as at '31, through the loop l3a's at '38, and past itself (over the' pbrtion 3-5-'3'6' as exemplified) as at '39. After forming a loop IE it again runs past itself (over theportion 3536) at llljaround the loop 13 at "4'2,-and'through the'lo'cp F3 at 4'3 and outat -44. Ase'xemplified the='por-tions 3'1 and 42 of the yarn run'over the portion '35 thereof at 31a and 420;, and over the portion i' l thereof at 31b and 42b. Even if the extent I3 is not in the form of a loop, the knot is effectively formed around the extent. In either case the extent [6 extends twice about the yarn of the extent l3 (-e. g. at the right) in one direction (e.-g. clockwise as viewed from thelright) and thence'laterally (e. g. to the left at 31 and 42) and twice about the yarnof the extent I3 in the opposite direction '-(e. g. counterclockwise as -viewed from the right) and (preferably and as exemplified in aloop) between the ry'arn'ofthe extent l3 and the laterally extending p'ortions '(31 and 42) of itself.

InFigs. 13-18 are shown successive stages in the transformation'of the knot 9 of Fig. 2 into theknottil of Fig. 12. Inthis method, the legs of a knot-forming loop l3 are spread and are pulled strongly in opposite lateral (coursewise) directions, causing the eyelet to tend to unwrap itself and in so doing to twist the yarn at the feet of the loop I G'to form the knot/50. InFig. 13,

"the initial pull has caused the eyelet to begin to straighten out as shown. The leg portions 31 and 42 of the loop It begin to appear through the bight of the loop [3. In Fig. 14, the bight of :the loop is is shownin the process of being pushed down by they spread of the legs of the loop l3. In Fig. 15, the tension on the bight of the loop I3 is shown as having'pushed the bight still further downwardly. In Fig. 16, the loop [-3 like fabric embodying "in the present instance at each juncture of the --'-'strands a knot 50. A pair of strands I an'd 52 extend vertically twalewise) between the knots oi e'ach'vertically disposed pair of knots 5'0, and "a pair of strands 53 and :54 extend betweeneach hori'Zontally'di's-posed pair of knots 50. This provides not 'only 'anattractiv'e but a, firm-and run-resistant lace fabric, which may be formed with the utmost ease by a simple type 'of knitting procedure. One procedure of this character is exemplified in Fig. which indicates the knitting operation on two strands 55 and '56 in the formation of such afabric. The "strand 55 comprises :knotsB similar to'the knots 'hereinbefore exemplified which are formed from loops l3. The extent 56compris'esloops IBWhich extend through the knots 9. As will :be noted, the portions of the extent 54 which is between the :knots 9 "hasia very considerable amount ofaslack .init. Now, if the portions of the extent-55 which are at each'side of'the-knots 9-are pulled inithe directions indicated by the arrows. as by catching them rat a central point or otherwise and drawing the yarn laterally, the knots Swill convert themselves in knots 50. The formation of these-knots 5!] will require additional yarn at the feet of the loop "I5, which additional yarn will besupplied'by theslack in theportions'of the extent 56 between the .loops. Theseportions are numbered 54 since, when the slack is taken up, they will correspond to the portions 54in Fig. 19.

After the knots 9 have been converted into knots 58, the fabric of Fig. 20 will have automatically transformed itself into the fabric of Fig. 19. The-slack having been taken up, the portions 54 in Fig. 19 Will'appear as'the portions 54 inFig. 18; and the remaining portions of the extent -55the sides of the loops iii-will appear as the portions 5| and '52. The portions of the extent 55 between the knots will appear as portions 53.

As will be seen M53 in Fig. 21, theextent I3 is substantially straight laterally, the-lateral pull having entirely straightened out the loop. The contour of the extent lfi'nevertheless corresponds to that shown inFigs. 12 and 18. As to'the exis shown as having straightened itself out but laterally. In Fig. 17 the legs of the loop 13 are and 42 to press them down over the leg portion of loop l6 and over connector portions and M.

linFig. 18 portions 3'! and have been; pushed down to their final position by the complete '.ofFig. 12,.t'he' only difference" being that the knot "of Fig.12 is tightened and loop 13 isreformed with its legs substantially parallel.

The type'ofknot exemplified in Fig. 12,,how-

fever formed, and whether or not the legsof the knot-forming loop are arranged in" exactly the manner shown," lends itselfto the formation of'a wide variety of desirable types of fabric. One

s h fabricfem'b odying "the invention 5 in certain The condition 65 sho n xerti n es r onth l portion 3 60 tent l3, variations from the looped contour of Fig. 12 to the straight contour of Fig. 18 depend on the type of pulls applied in the transformation of the knot and'thereafter, andthemanner in whichthey are applied. Fig. '21 also shows how a preceding loop 5I-52 is caught between the extents i3 (53' 53) and l6 (5454).

Since certain changes in the above article and in carrying out the above method'and in the constructions set forth, which embody the invention, maybe made Without departing from its scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense;

I claim:

1. A knitted fabric comprising a plurality'of "extents of yarn united'by means of a knot whereeyelet through which a loop of another extent of yarn passes. v V

3-. A'knitte'd fabric having a multiplicity of 7 knots wherein the sides of a loop of one extent of yarn pass through the bight of a loop thereof to form an eyelet through which a loop of another extent of yarn passes.

l. A knitted fabric the loops of which are united at certain points in a normal fashion and at certain other points by a knot in which the sides of a loop of one extent of yarn pass through the bight of a loop thereof to form an eyelet through which a loop of another extent of yarn passes.

5. A knitted fabric the loops of which are united at certain points in a jersey fashion and at certain other points by a knot in which the sides of a loop of one extent of yarn pass through the bight of a loop thereof to form an eyelet through which a loop of another extent of yarn passes.

6. A rib stitch knitted fabric the loops of which are united at certain points in a normal fashion and at certain other points by a knotin which the sides of a loop of one extent of yarn pass through the bight of a loop thereof to form an eyelet through which a loop of another extent of yarn passes.

7. A knitted fabric at least one loop of which has its bight portion bent back and over to enclose both sides of its shank portion to provide an eyelet encompassing a succeeding loop.

8. A knitted design fabric wherein a design is formed by knots each uniting one loop with another loop by means of an eyelet formed by one of the loops which it unites, said one of said loops extending thru said eyelet, the loops of the fabric being united normally throughout substantially the remainder of the fabric.

9. A knitted design fabric embodying a plurality of knots each comprising a loop forming a double-strand knot about another loop, said knots being arranged in design formation and the loops being united in a different fashion in the remainder of the fabric.

10. A knitted design fabric wherein a design is formed by knots each comprising a loop in one course having its two side yarns bent in parallel relation to form a closed double eye with the bight locked about the shank portion and with the double eye locked about the shank of a loop in the same wale in a succeeding course to prevent said eye from opening, the loops of the fabric being normally united throughout substantially the remainder of the fabric.

11. A knitted fabric having a multiplicity of knots from which loops hang free to provide a terry-type fabric.

12. A knitted fabric comprising a plurality of extents of yarn united by means of a knot wherein the sides of a loop of one extent of yarn pass through the bight of a loop thereof to form an eyelet through which a loop of another extent of yarn passes, the latter loop hanging free from at least some of said knots.

13. A knitted fabric formed at a multiplicity of points thereon with knots in each of which the sides of a loop of one extent of yarn pass through the bight of a loop thereof to form an eyelet through which a loop of another extent of yarn passes, a latter loop being unknitted and hanging free from each of said knots.

14. A knitted fabric wherein the number of wales decreases from one course to another, wherein a knot is provided at each point of decrease, and wherein normal unkotted knitting is provided at other points.

15. A piece of knitted fabric having an edge 8 whereatravelling is prevented by means of a knot wherein the sides of a loop of one extent of yarn pass through the bight of a loop thereof to form ,an eyelet through which a loop of another extent of yarn passes.

16. A knitted fabric comprising an extent of yarn forming a knot about another extent of yarn and extending about said other extent in one direction and thence laterally and about said other extent in the other direction and between said other extent and the laterally extending part of itself.

17. A knitted fabric comprising an extent of yarn forming a knot about another extent of yarn and extending twice about said other extent in one direction and thence laterally in two strands and then twice about said other extent in the opposite direction and in a loop between said other extent and the portions of itself which extend laterally as specified.

18. A knitted fabric comprising a plurality of extents of yarn united by means of a knot wherein one extent of yarn extends through a loop of another extent of yarn, then around said loop, through said loop, and past itself, and then back through said loop, around said loop, and through said loop.

19. A lace fabric comprising a multiplicity of knots from each of which double substantially straight strands extend in four directions, a multiplicity of the strands from one knot being portions of a continuous yarn.

20. A lace fabric comprising a multiplicity of knots wherein one extent of yarn forms a knot about another extent, said one extent extending twice about said other extent in one direction and thence laterally in two strands and then twice about said other extent in the opposite direction and in a loop between said other extent and the portions of itself which extend laterally as specified, said knots being interconnected vertically and horizontally by the extents of yarn of which said knots are composed.

21. Run-resistant knitted hosiery having knots formed from the loops at regularly spaced intervals walewise and coursewise thereof, each of at least certain of said knots comprising a loop extending thru an eyelet formed of said loop.

22. A knitted fabric the loops of which are united in a normal fashion at certain points and by means of knots at regularly spaced intervals walewise and coursewise thereof to resist the formation of runs, each of at least certain of said knots comprising a loop extending thru an eyelet formed of said loop.

23. The method of forming a fabric which comprises forming a loop, passing the sides of said loop through the bight of the loop to form an eyelet in which the doubled loop defines the opening, passing a loop of another extent of yarn through said eyelet, and closing said eyelet to form a knot about the sides of the last mentioned loop.

24. The method of forming a fabric which comprises forming a loop, passing the sides of said loop through the bight of the loop to form an eyelet in which the doubled loop defines the opening, passing a loop of another extent of yarn through said eyelet and spreading the legs of the first mentioned loop to cause said eyelet to undo itself and to pull the second mentioned loop into a knot about the first mentioned loop.

25. The method of forming a knitted fabric which comprises interkm'tting loops, and, prior to interknitting certain of said loops, passing the sides of the respective loops through the bight closing said eyelet to form a knot about the sides of the last mentioned loop.

26. The method of forming a knitted fabric which comprises interknitting loops, and, prior to interknitting only certain of said loops, passing the sides of the respective loops through the bight thereof to form an eyelet in which the doubled loop defines the opening, passing a loop of another extent of yarn through said eyelet, and closing said eyelet to form a knot about the sides of the last mentioned loop.

27. The method of forming a fabric which comprises forming a loop, bending the bight thereof about the shank to form a double eye, forming another loop and passing it through said eye to lock it, and performing succeeding knitting steps at least certain of which include operations simi lar to the foregoing,

28. The method of forming a lace fabric which comprises forming knots in alternate wales and dropping stitches in the intervening wales.

29. The method of forming a lace fabric which comprises forming knots in spaced vertical lines in alternate courses and in courses other than said alternate courses knitting only in said spaced lines without knitting in said intervening lines, and drawing out the yarn without knitting in intervening vertical lines certain courses.

30. Knitted fabric comprising a plurality of extents of yarn united by means of a knot wherein a doubled portion of one extent of yarn is wrapped around another extent of yarn and caught under itself.

31. Knitted fabric comprising a plurality of extents of yarn united by means of a knot wherein a doubled portion of one extent of yarn is wrapped around two portions of another extent of yarn and caught under itself.

32. A lace fabric comprising a multiplicity of knots connected in one direction by double strands constituting the sides of loops of knitted yarn I and in the other direction at least in part by yarn other than that forming said loops.

33. A lace fabric comprising a multiplicity of knots connected in one direction by double strands constituting the sides of loops of knitted yarn and in the other direction by double strands one of which constitutes a dropped stitch.

34. A knitted fabric comprising a plurality of extents of yarn united by means of a knot wherein the sides of a loop of one extent of yarn pass through the bight of the loop to form an eyelet through which a loop of another extent of yarn passes.

35. A knitted design fabric wherein a design is formed by knots wherein one extentof yarn 10 passes through the bight of a loop thereof to form a double eyelet through which another extent of yarn passes.

36. A knitted design fabric wherein a design is formed by knots wherein the sides of a loop of one extent of yarn pass through the bight of the loop to form an eyelet through which a loop of another extent of yarn passes.

37. A knitted fabric the loops of which are united in a normal fashion in certain succession of loops coursewise and walewise of the fabric and by means of individual knots at regularly spaced intervals walewise and coursewise thereof to resist the formation of runs.

38. Run resistant knitted hosiery having individual knots formed from the loops at closely but regularly spaced intervals both walewise and coursewise thereof, substantially all of the remainder of the fabric being normally knitted.

39. A knitted fabric including elastic yarn the loops of which are united in a normal fashion at certain points and by means of knots at regularly spaced intervals walewise and coursewise thereof to resist the formation of runs, each of at least certain of said knots comprising a loop extending thru an eyelet formed of said loop.

40. A knitted fabric including elastic yarn at least one loop of which has its bight portion bent back and over to enclose both sides of its shank portion to provide an eyelet encompassing a succeeding loop.

VINCENT LOIVEBARDI.

REFERENCES orrED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 550,304- Ward Nov. 26, 1895 1,139,989 Mahnkenet a1 May 18, 1915 1,210,344 Miller Dec. 26, 1916 1,866,713 Jones et a1 July 12, 1932 1,887,166 Nuber Nov. 8, 1932 2,038,493 Jones Apr. 21, 1936 2,132,778 Cole Oct. 11, 1938 2,162,115 Pauls June 13, 1939 2,194,865 Mizugoshi Mar. 26, 1940 2,269,089 Hanisch Jan. 6, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 3,960 Australia Sept. 10, 1931 832,318 France June 27, 1938 670,892 Germany Jan. 26, 1939 OTHER REFERENCES The Dictionary of Needlework, Caulfeild and Saward, 1882, page 214. 

